The volunteers of Ann Arbor have rich and varied business backgrounds. Counselors share their business experience and knowledge in all aspects of small business. In addition, all counselors have specific areas of expertise.
Michelle Webster - Chapter Chair Real Estate, Business Valuation, Succession Planning, Strategic Planning
Michelle is a senior business consultant. She is also a commercial realtor and business broker. Her expertise is in business growth, as well as exit strategies, start-ups through exiting, for small-to-medium sized businesses.
Eugene Laporte – Chapter Secretary Financial Planning and Administration, Sales, Training
Gene was a director at Merrill Lynch. His work and educational background include investments, human resources, law, marketing, and management.
Robert Crowner – Chapter Treasurer Business Planning, Consulting, Financial Analysis, Engineering, Manufacturing
A former professor of management, Bob is experienced with business plans, financial analysis, engineering and manufacturing management.
Eugene Berrodin Start-Up, Budgets, Marketing, Human Resources, Non-Profits, Leasing versus Buying, Financial Planning
Gene was one of the organizers of the NLC Mutual Insurance Company and served as vice president. He has experience in organizing and managing non-profit associations.
Edward Cady Start-Up, Budgets, Marketing, Financial Planning, General Management, Sales
Ed has started three companies and is still involved in two of them. He has experience in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, distribution agreements, financing and operations. Experience is both domestic and international in most operational functions.
Muriel Converse Business Planning, Marketing, Market Research, Consulting, Administration, Training
Trained as an economist and survey researcher, Muriel founded a market research company specializing in customer satisfaction surveys, studies, and general program evaluations whose annual sales grew to over $2 million.
Robert Critchfield Banking, Business Planning, Financing, Real Estate, Sales
Teresita dela Fuente Start-up, Business Planning, Financing, Marketing
While serving as Food Service Manager at the University of Michigan Health System, Tessie managed the Patient Food Services Division at the University Hospital and Kellogg Eye Center; and, as a certified instructor for the Education Foundation of the National Restaurant Association, taught food protection management courses.
Chris Duffy Accounting, Bookkeeping
John Early Legal Services, Business Planning, Human Resources, Information Systems
Steve Feinman Project Management, Business Planning, Financial Planning, Business Strategies
Graham Fleming Start-Up, Financial Analysis, Taxes, Computers, Construction, Consulting, budgets
Trained as a chemical engineer, Graham spent many of his later years on the financial end of a multi-national chemical company.
Tanya Garrett Legal and Intellectual Property Issues, Trademarks, Manufacturing
(available for e-mail counseling through www.score.org)
Tanya is a registered patent attorney with a background in electrical engineering. She practices exclusively in the field of Intellectual Property law, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. She regularly advises clients with issues relating to IP law and new product development.
Ronald Gilbert Advertising, Cash Flow, Communications, Financing, Marketing, General Management
Mitchell Goodkin Start-Up, Marketing, Business Plans, Operations, Manufacturing, Finance, Legal
Mitch is an attorney, licensed Professional Engineer, MBA and past chair of the Information Technology Law Section of the Michigan Bar. Mitch has experience with business, product liability, intellectual property and export law, computer maintenance, manufacturing, automation, engineering, systems analysis, programming, quality control/assurance, product planning, information systems management, engineering management and assessment, legal protection, marketing and licensing intellectual property (patents, copyrights, trade secrets and trademarks).
Cheryl Gracie Accounting, Bookkeeping
Terry Grover Business, Information Systems Architecture, Marketing, Business Planning, Training, Project Management
Terry spent 34 years with Ford Motor Company in Information Technology management, business planning, project management and training development. He then worked for five years with the Environmental Protection Agency as a marketing specialist.
John Hanson Business Management, HR, Communications/Public Relations, Construction/Maintenance, Non-Profit, Government
Karl Hauser Start-Up, M&A, Business Valuation, Real Estate, Engineering, Project Management
As vice president of Corporate Development for a large, privately owned, company (almost $500 million in sales) Karl’s responsibilities included valuation of potential acquisitions, start-up management of new acquisitions, and contract negotiations.
Henry D. Kopicko Start-Up, Entity Selection, Business Plan, Contracting, Legal, Negotiations, Real Estate
Henry spent 23 years in the automotive industry in a number of functions, including business planning, engineering, and supervision. He holds an MBA and a law degree, with a concentration in business transactions. He presently has an active law practice focused on business law as well as real estate, probate and estate planning.
Jeanette Kroth Banking, Business Plans, Financing
Ed Krupa Accounting, Bookkeeping, Business Plans, Cash Flow, Inventory Management
Jeff LaForest Business Plans, Project Management, Sales, Start-Up, General Management
Michael Mason Start-up, Strategic Planning, Sales, General Management, Internet, Budgets
Hank McQueen Marketing, Human Resources, Administration, Banking, Government Contracts, Consulting
Santosh Mehra Business Planning, Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Financial Planning
James Moore Administration, Training, Consulting
Mahendra Muli Business planning, Strategic marketing, Business development
Business development manager for a multinational firm, with MBA and Engineering degrees , Mahendra is responsible for developing business strategies for sustainable growth. Experienced in business planning, strategic marketing and sales of technology products.
Patrick Perfitt Financial Planning, Business Taxes, Benefits, Marketing, Advertising
Peggy Ann Pobuda Retail, Marketing, Start-up, Business Planning, Budgets, Financial Planning
As a regional manager with Ethan Allen, Peggy was responsible for the profitability and continued growth of stores in three states and Canada. She was involved in hiring, budgets, marketing, and the planning of relocations and new construction.
Bonnie Reyes Accounting
Rick Scofield Manufacturing, Banking, Business Acquisition, International Business, and Business Planning
Rick owned and operated an international auto supplier for 35 years. He started facilities in the U.S. and Mexico, and purchased operations in the U.S. and England. Rick still owns an electronics company in England. Other experience includes 17 years on a bank board and many years on numereous civic and charity boards.
Clifford Sheldon Banking, Finance, Cash Flow, Business Plans, Budgets, Start-Up
Ashok Singhal Finance, Human Resources, Business Plans, Construction, Project Management
Martin Stolzenberg Advertising, Business Plans, Marketing, Communications, Market Research
Kees W. van Straalen Marketing, International Business
Kees W. van Straalen, a native of The Netherlands, had worked for companies such as Unilever, Siemens, 3M and Datascope. Over the years Kees conducted business in some 65 countries. He has helped a number of companies understand and establish the chemistry needed to integrate international business cultures.
Mark Winterhalter Administration, Business Plan, Computer Information Systems
Mark has over 28 years experience in retail technology management as a CIO. Prior to that, he was president of his own technology consulting firm.
Ed Zimmer Computer Software & Systems, Patents & Intellectual Property, Financing, Real Estate
(available for e-mail counseling through www.score.org)
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